A 1937 Detailed Prediction Of Hitler's Strategy In Eastern Europe

Two years before the Nazi invasion of Poland,
an Atlantic author made
country-by-country predictions about Germany's eastward
expansion.

In 1937, Hitler's military intentions were becoming increasingly
clear.

He had already ascended to the top of the German government and
instilled in the populace a fiery national socialism.

But that movement was beginning to be stifled by Germany's
established borders. The next move was conquest.

In his 1937 piece "Hitler
Looks Eastward,"Atlantic author Henry C.
Wolfe described the restlessness on the ground: "'To DAY Germany
belongs to us; tomorrow the whole world!' Nazi Storm Troopers
parading along Danzig's ancient cobbled streets sing out National
Socialism's challenge to the nations across the 'bleeding
frontiers' of the Third Reich."

To Wolfe, the question at this point was not if the Nazis would
strike, but when -- and where. He noted that all throughout
Germany, media reports and political speeches were proclaiming a
vital need for more land. One Nazi official in Könisberg
explained it to him this way: "'Colonies to absorb our surplus
population and provide us with the raw materials we lack will
solve our economic and social problems.'"

Which countries would fall submissively in line with Hitler, and
which would oppose? Here were some of Wolfe's guesses and how
they panned out:

Austria: Most certain to dissolve
into Germany(Austria was annexed into
Germany a year later):

The National Socialists are fond of talking about 'peaceful
penetration' in Austria. ... National Socialist speeches dealing
with Austria drip with sentiments of brotherhood and dwell on the
bonds of 'blood community,' 'Pan German solidarity,' and 'one
people, one Reich, and one Führer.'

Romania: The Nazis had gained
influence in the country, but some Rumanian political groups
would resist (Romania would join the Axis
powers in 1940):

Rumania is another of the key objectives of German foreign
policy. For some months this colorful little kingdom has been a
battleground on which Nazis have waged violent warfare against
their enemies who support Rumanian ties with France and the
Little Entente and cooperation with the Soviet. As in other
countries where there is a German minority, Hitler is using the
Teutons in Rumania as shock troops to prepare the way for Nazi
domination.

Bulgaria: Germany had an eye on the
country, but "supine acceptance of defeat is not ... a Bulgarian
characteristic."(The country
was initially neutral, then joined the Axis in 1941.
After a coup in 1944, Bulgaria joined the Allies):

When the various national delegations paraded into the gigantic
Olympic stadium at Berlin last summer, Nazi eyes glowed with
delight and National Socialist hearts beat faster at the sight of
the Bulgarians. These sturdy Balkan athletes came goose stepping
on the field as a prelude to a full fledged straight armed salute
to the Nazi All Highest.

Hungary: The country would join
Germany if it could find a way to benefit (Hungary signed an
alliance with Germany in 1940):

Hungary is watching this Nazi campaign closely, hoping that
Rumania will oppose the Germans. In that event, the
Magyars[Hungarians] believe, it would be only a question of time
till Germany's new army, sweeping through Czechoslovakia, would
help the Hungarians reclaim their 'lost provinces.' What Hungary
fears is that the Nazis will be able to win complete control of
Rumania, thereby lessening for Germany the value of her Hungarian
support. Such a development would make territorial revision at
the expense of Rumania more difficult for the Magyars to achieve.

Turkey: The Eurasian gateway nation
could not afford being isolated. If all the other countries fell,
it might not have a choice (Turkey remained neutral for most of
the war, joining the Allies in 1945):

Should either Germany or Italy gain a substantial foothold in the
Balkans, Turkey would have to examine her political fences to
determine whether they are strong enough to withstand attack from
the invader. For Kemal [the Turkish president] cannot afford the
luxury of an isolation that would give his enemies a favored
position in a diplomatic and military combination that would
force the descendants of Mohammed II back into Asia Minor. If
Hitler's Drang nach Osten [thrust toward the
east]shows increasing momentum, Turkey will surely
be compelled to weigh the danger of being caught on the losing
side.